Youth Park/Taipei City. Venezuela celebrated its second win at the II 12U Baseball World Cup, defeating Russia 17-0 on Friday afternoon. For the Europeans it was their first game in tournament history. Venezuela scored five runs in the first, four in the second and eight in the third inning. Their only blemish on defense was a hit by pitch.

Tien-Mou/Taipei City. Japan had a good start into the II 12U Baseball World Cup, defeating the Czech Republic 15-0 in four innings in the afternoon game at Tien-Mou Stadium in Taipei City. The reigning European 12U Champion kept things close in the beginning, but fell apart in the third and the fourth.

Youth Park/Taipei City. Mexico, which went a perfect 5-0 during the first round of the inaugural edition in 2011, continued its round robin dominance also in the opener of the II 12U Baseball World Cup. On Thursday morning they erased an early 0-3 deficit and defeated Italy 6-3 at Youth Park. Four runs combined in the fourth and fifth completed the comeback.

Taipei City. The second edition of the 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City commenced play with six games on Thursday. It saw 12 of the 14 teams in action and the official opening ceremony at Tien-Mou Stadium. The Philippines and Russia will enter the competition on Friday.

The “wicked orange-clad witch” is finally dead and Cuba reigns yet again as champion of the Rotterdam World Port Tournament. Sunday’s second-straight 4-0 shutout victory over the Dutch seemed to put an end to a run of almost uninterrupted recent Orange successes against Cuba.

The first Peter O’Malley International Invitational Baseball Tournament will be played at Corkagh Demesne Park in Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland from July 12-14. The tournament is officially sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

The European U12 Championship was played in Chocen, Czech Republic last week. The Czech Republic, which together with Russia and Italy will represent Europe at the upcoming II IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City, won the title.

Cuba has won the 2013 World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The record world champion claimed the title at the international tournament, which is officially sanctioned by IBAF, with a 4-0 shutout over the Dutch national team on Sunday.

16-year-old shortstop Marten Gasparini has signed with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, the first day 16-year-old players are eligible to sign contracts with MLB organizations.

The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) has announced the 18-player roster, which will represent Italy at the II IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup from July 18 to 28 in Taipei City.